‘Surge in construction’ at suspected Iranian nuclear site, analysts say, as US considers ways to strike deep underground
CSIS says the site may be a future nuclear safe haven as analysts see internal construction and road work that suggest it is not yet ready for enrichment.
- Analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies revealed "a clear surge in construction activity" this year at Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected Iranian nuclear site located roughly 140 miles south of Tehran.
- The Defense Threat Reduction Agency awarded a $1.2 million contract to Pate Construction for a "unique subterranean test facility at White Sands Missile Range" to validate classified capabilities against emerging threats.
- CSIS analysts reported the site is "likely" designed as a safe haven for nuclear work, though the granite mountain presents a difficult target to even the Pentagon's "heaviest non-nuclear" bombs.
- President Donald Trump told reporters last week, "We may hit Pickaxe very soon," while the Defense Department recently held a "planning sprint" on strike options against underground facilities.
- The Air Force is working to develop a "next generation penetrator" bomb to succeed the current Massive Ordnance Penetrator, aiming to hit deeply buried Iranian targets.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Report: Iran accelerates construction at deeply buried nuclear site
Satellite imagery shows a sharp acceleration in construction at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site in 2026, as CNN reports that the US is developing capabilities to strike the deeply buried facility, believed to withstand powerful bunker-busting bombs
US evaluates advanced bunker-busting capabilities as secret Iranian nuclear fortress expands
Intelligence analysts report a construction surge at Iran's underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site using six years of satellite imagery. The developments come as the US military explores advanced subterranean strike capabilities against deeply buried atomic facilities. CNN reported the findings following extensive intelligence evaluations. The post US evaluates advanced bunker-busting capabilities as secret Iranian nuclear fortress expands ap…
‘Surge in construction’ at suspected Iranian nuclear site, analysts say, as US considers ways to strike deep underground
A suspected Iranian nuclear site buried under granite has seen a flurry of construction work this year as the war with the US has transpired, according to a group of analysts who reviewed six years of satellite imagery.
According to CNN sources, American efforts to prepare plans for decisive strikes against Iran's underground nuclear facilities are continuing. Network analysts indicated that the underground facility is likely to be designed to provide safe haven for Iran's nuclear program.
Press: On the underground site of Pickackaxe Mountain, near the Natanz nuclear complex in 2026, construction activity increased dramatically, CNN reports with reference to a new analysis of satellite imagery.
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- 67% of the sources are Center
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